Tragic experiences in the United Stated attest to fire and explosion hazards involving combustible particulate solids or hybrid mixtures. NFPA 654: Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids is referenced by OSHA's Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) for the purposes of identifying dust hazards and defining mitigation strategies that protect life and property.

Identify dust hazards and establish control measures with the latest edition.

The Standard provides fundamental, industry-recognized safety practices for facility and systems design, process equipment protection, fugitive dust control and housekeeping, ignition source identification and control, fire protection, training and procedures, inspection and maintenance. The Standard's Annexes include guidance on the application of area electrical classification for various dust accumulation levels.

The 2013 edition of NFPA 654 adds new equivalency options.

This important edition features four new equivalent methods for determining whether a dust fire or explosion hazardous condition exists in a facility. These methods include the layer depth criterion that exists in the current edition, as well as a method based on mass accumulation.

Other changes for 2013 improve housekeeping procedures and add safety management system elements:

New cleaning frequency based on the nature of the dust layer or dust mass

Established hierarchy for cleaning methods; vacuuming, sweeping or water wash, then, if necessary, blowing with compressed air under controlled conditions